11 of the Best Women’s Watches

Luxury watches for women have never been more popular. Once only ever considered an item of jewellery, they have now become a symbol of status, wealth, and good taste. No longer is buying a women’s watch just about looking regal and refined (although it can certainly do that too!), it is a reflection of quality and can be worn as an extension of her personality. Over the years, leading luxury watch brands have honed into this demand. More and more brands are acknowledging a resurgence within the industry and the fact that the need for functionality and reliability is shared between male and female audiences alike. Today, some of the most prestigious watch manufacturers in the world offer a superb selection of timepieces for women. We’ve rounded up eleven of the best ones to invest in, so if you’re a lady and you’re looking to extend your collection, use this Watches World guide for tips on all the best women’s watches.

A brief history of women’s watches

Once manufacturers had learnt how to minimise clock mechanisms into smaller palm-sized timekeeping instruments, pocket watches were a very popular thing and were hugely on-trend for men during the 19th century. Higher classed individuals would slip one into their pocket as a reflection of their status, yet women’s clothes were seldom made with pockets, so the trend simply passed them by. That was until women began to thread pocket watches onto their necklaces and bracelets and began wearing them as brooches. It proved that women desired pocket watches just as much as men.

The first women’s wristwatch was thought to have been developed by Breguet in 1810. The classic pocket watch had been developed into a bracelet and was created for the Queen of Naples. The iconic wristwatch for women went on to inspire other leading manufacturers within the industry, many of which were highly priced. Fortunately there is now a mix of affordable and high-end luxury watches on the market that suit all tastes, and we have a selection of the best right here at Watches World.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust

The Rolex Perpetual Datejust is a classic companion that can be enjoyed on every possible occasion. What’s more, it remains a timeless design thanks to its sporty elegance with a trademark cyclops date window at 3 o’clock. The lady’s Rolex Datejust is characterised by its beautiful Jubilee bracelet and is considered a highly versatile range with so many styles, designs, cases and dial colours to choose from. It’s also the brand’s most expensive collection, with its three-handed time and date design framed by a fluted, domed or diamond-set bezel. The smallest model in the range measures 31mm, whilst the Lady-Datejust model measures even smaller at 28mm. You can choose from stainless steel, Everose (Rolex’s proprietary rose gold version), yellow gold, white gold or two-tone variations. There’s also a choice to make between traditional Roman numeral hour markers baton indices or diamond dot markers for a more elaborate finish. Either way, you’re guaranteed reliable timekeeping thanks to an in-house automatic movement that is chronometer-certified, making the Datejust watch for women a must-have classically-inspired timepiece for everyday wear.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Self-winding

Ladies with a great dress sense cannot resist an icon and when it comes to the Royal Oak Self-winding watch by Audemars Piguet, no timepiece could be more instantly recognisable. The watch boasts the octagonal porthole-inspired design that first put it on the map as a collectable steel sports watch during the 1970s. If you know your stuff about watches, you’ll already know that the Royal Oak watch was designed by one of the most influential people in the world of horology – Gerald Genta. The Royal Oak is available in three-handed, two-handed and chronograph versions, as well as moon phase complications and perpetual calendars. One of the advantages of the women’s Royal Oak Self-Winding watch is its in-house developed calibre. Some still feature the Calibre 121, however, developed by Patek Philippe during the 1960s. It remains one of the flattest movements in the industry to this day. A Royal Oak in yellow gold or rose gold may be your preferred choice, but if you love the appeal of the classic steel sports watch, you can’t go wrong with a 38mm model from the range. You can choose some extravagant dial colours in the Royal Oak style, including those set with colourful gemstones, as well as extra thin models from the “Jumbo” Royal Oak category.

Cartier Panthere

The Panthere de Cartier range inspires with its par excellence design influenced by a wild cat. Shimmering diamonds added to luxurious gold cases epitomize finesse and opulence,  first gaining attention for its mix of shapes. The first models were the round case type, framing a square dial with precious stones that mimicked the pattern of fur on a panther. Pretty soon, an entire range of jewellery pieces was released by Cartier, boasting the familiar panther motif across its catalogue. The Panthere de Cartier watch makes such a great choice of watch for women thanks to its ornate yet classic look. Its history spans back to 1914 with a design that has barely undergone many changes. Available in steel, gold or a combination of both, Panthere watches by Cartier can be enjoyed in tastefully crafted five-link bracelets or traditional leather bands to add a perfect finishing touch to any outfit.

Chopard Happy Sport

If you’re a lady and you prefer your watches with a glamorous twist, the Happy Diamonds watch by Chopard could be your perfect option. It simply had to feature in our list of top eleven watches for women because its style is so enduring and timeless. You only need to glance at the dial of a women’s Happy Diamond watch from Chopard and instantly fall in love with its majestic sparkle and scintillating flare. The watches from the Chopard Happy Diamonds collection boast a flowing and fluid-like energy which gives them a majestic appeal, with curvaceous cases that hold diamonds which revolve around the dial. The sizes of the Chopard Happy Diamond watch range vary from 26mm to 38mm, making even the larger-sized variants manageable on the wrist. Clusters of diamonds appear to float atop the dial, beautifully suspended between two pieces of sapphire to create a special design that blurs the line between a timepiece and a piece of jewellery. Within the collection, 18ct white gold and rose gold cases are accompanied by mother-of-pearl displays to create the perfect accessory for formal or office occasions.

Hublot Classic Fusion

Top models from the Hublot Classic Fusion watch collection offer tourbillons and minute repeaters, yet the range caters to the tastes of those who prefer unfussy designs too. The Classic Fusion watch is perfect for women who like the typical sporty porthole-inspired design, bringing elements of the Big Bang aesthetic through. Bold and impactful, the Classic Fusion watch is a perfect match for women who like to get noticed for their choice of wristwatch. Its powerful design can be manufactured from carbon, ceramic and titanium and can be offered in Arabic numeral or baton index style, with bezels that feature decorative screws or extravagant diamond-enrobed bezels for added glamour and femininity.

Bvlgari Serpenti Tubogas

The Bvlgari Serpenti – also known as the snake for the wrist – has experienced widespread popularity thanks to its stealth-like beauty and endearing nature. The snake-inspired design is both unique and instantly detectable. The Serpenti was first released during the 1940s and remains a regal and indulgent design to own. Associated with glamour and opulence, the lady’s Bvlgari Serpenti Tubogas watch is the more classic edition of the original range and boasts a drop-shaped case measuring 35mm and beautiful curves that frame Roman numerals that mark the 12 and 6 o’clock location. Some dial options include grey, red, brown, purple and white, as well as sunburst and guilloche dial effects which bring to life an added layer of detail and dimension to each timepiece. If you like your wristwatch to double up as a piece of jewellery, the Serpenti Tubogas watch from Bvlgari is worth some serious consideration.

Patek Philippe Nautilus

Sporty, iconic and promising a powerful presence on the wrist, the Nautilus watch is a design that has been around for many decades, The influential design from Patek Philippe was designed by Gerald Genta and went on to influence the entire history of horology. The women’s Nautilus watch range is suitably stylish and equally just as iconic. It’s also one of the most expensive to own, further adding to its desirability. Therefore, if you want your timepiece to communicate authenticity and credibility a name like the Nautilus on your wrist is going to do just that. Achieving a cult-like status, the Nautilus has been well-loved for its ingenious porthole shape. One particularly popular Nautilus watch for women is the steel and blue model measuring a 35mm diameter. This elegant sports watch features the familiar 12 o’clock Arabic numeral and an integrated stainless steel bracelet but can also be enjoyed in rose gold or with a silvery-white dial colour, not to mention many other variations.

Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso One Duetto

The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso One Duetto watch is manual winding, constituting a great alternative to an automatic watch and is perfect for ladies with an appreciation for the complex make-up behind a manual-winding watch. The movement requires hand-winding at the same time each day, enabling the lady a chance to connect with the watch and admire its performance through a sapphire-backed case. The Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso One Duetto watch made our list of top eleven watches for women because of its timeless appeal that never goes out of fashion. The watch has a rectangular-shaped case and features a clear dial represented by Arabic numerals and a traditional leather strap to enjoy pairing with professional or elegant attire in the evening.

CHANEL J12

The CHANEL J12 references the movement it is powered by in its name. The Calibre 12.1 is Swiss-produced by the Kenissi company which is also co-owned by CHANEL. Of course, automatic watches are not just for men and CHANEL demonstrates this with its broad range of J12 watches, dissolving the differences surrounding gender-specific timepieces. The watches have a partly masculine edge but have been combined with gemstones and diamonds to add a feminine twist that is sure to catch the eye. The watches from the CHANEL J12 watch collection are crafted from polished white or black ceramic and feature elaborate dial designs that include pixel motifs, aventurine dials with baguette-cut bezels and models with polished space-inspired motifs. To complete their contemporary style, J12 watches come fitted on link bracelets crafted from the same black or white highly polished ceramic to promise scratch-resistant and fade-resistant qualities.

Omega Constellation Quartz

The first mass-produced chronometer by Omega was the Constellation. It still remains a symbol or elegance and precision today, which is why we had to feature it in our guide to the best women’s watches. The Constellation watch has an integrated bracelet or leather band and offers magnetic resistance up to 15,000 gausses. First introduced in 1952, it blends sportiness with a classic appeal and its smallest size measures a 24mm diameter making it a perfect fit for the female wrist. The Constellation watch is recognised for its claw-like “griffes” that feature on the sides of the bezel at 3 and 9 o’clock – a feature that has been present since 1952. Over the years, the Constellation watch for women has evolved into a sportier design but loses none of its timeless appeal thanks to day-date versions, annual calendar versions and diamond-set timepieces that look beautiful no matter what the occasion.

Zenith Chronomaster Revival Shadow

If you like Retro designs, the Zenith Chronomaster Revival Shadow is a great option to add to your collection. Its design is inspired by a 1970s chronograph and measures a 37mm size, making it a great unisex design. Its blackened case is made from lightweight titanium to create a stealthy look, whilst chronograph counters at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock are surrounded by a tachymeter scale around the edge for measuring speed based on distance. This Zenith watch is perfect for any lady looking to extend her collection with a sporty and sleek chronograph this season, especially since it is fitted with a movement from the famous El Primero range, complete with an impressive 50-hour power reserve.

That was our guide to the best women’s luxury watches to own. If you’d like more information on a models we’ve featured in this article, you can contact our customer sales team at Watches World today on [email protected] or call +442034091808.